Thread: Bermuda wants ships back - but there's controversy

Some snippets from a very interesting article in Bermuda's The Royal Gazette:

Cruise ships can run casinos while in Bermuda ports


Cruise ships will be allowed to open late-night casinos in port after Cabinet approved a plan aimed at fighting off increasing competition from rival cruise destinations.

. . .

The Premier said ships would now be allowed to open bars and signature shops and "provide full entertainment inclusive of the opening of casinos after 10 p.m. while in port".

He said cruise lines would in return be required to contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to on-Island activities such as the Bermuda Music Festival and Harbour Nights.

. . .

On Friday, Dr. Brown said a review of cruise industry trends concluded that Bermuda was losing its competitive edge attracting cruise ships, especially the smaller premium ships capable of docking in Hamilton and St. George's.

. . .

more -

As well as allowing casinos on cruise ships, Cabinet has also approved a proposal to waive the $14 cabin tax for Hamilton and St. George's for three years from 2009

. . .

Dr. Brown said Norwegian Cruise Line has committed to pay $150,000 a year to the Bermuda Music Festival and provide entertainers for Harbour Nights in Hamilton, produce an on-Island dining brochure distributed to all its cruise guests, and donate a total of $275,000 to the Bermuda Heritage Museum and St. George's Foundation.

Negotiations are underway with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

Describing the deal as a "win-win", the Premier added: "With this programme we are confident that we will attract the smaller, premium ships to Hamilton and St. George's which will assist the economy of both ports and provide additional revenue


Read the full article here:
The Royal Gazette

The moves being made to lure ships back are not without controversy, which you will see on reading the article.

It does sound like a win- win in many regards. The cruise ship passengers get an island experience on the island, the island gets money from cruise passengers who spend more money, and the cruise lines get more activities for the passengers.

BUT there is great opposition to gambling from one side in the island nation.

At one time they did have slots there, but they have been removed.

And more recently, bars were raided for having poker games going on.

What is interesting is the approach used in the Bahamas. The natives are allowed to work in the casinos but are banned from gambling in them. It seems that the Bahamian government realizes that gambling is a sucker bet and makes sure that the people are not taken advantage of!

How interesting...